Change of guard in the police force was long overdue but at last Kibaki yielded to pressure and sent the eloquent police commissioner Hussein Ali parking. Ali is now the new Post Master general after the former head was also sent parking due to graft allegations that dogged the corporation.

Ali was replaced by an Israel trained commando Mathew Kirai Iteere, former commandant of the police’s paramilitary General Service Unit (GSU).

Kenyans wanted a change especially after a recent report that cast Ali in a bad light over extrajudicial killings that have been a gold mine to most of his critics. I bet professor Phillip Alston is giving himself a pat, at least one of his recommendations in his much publicized and controversial report has seen the light of day.

Anyone would not be wrong to say Kenyans are fond of poking holes to any good course, but at times we should be excused for being skeptical if this nation’s president appointments are anything to go by. What is Kibaki up to? the verdict on Ringera’s reappointment is still in the making. Is he trying to divert the attention from this?

Again will the new guy steer the police force towards the much hyped up reforms? We welcome the change with a cautious position rather, what we want to see is comprehensive police reforms. This is one institution so crucial to the country’s stability yet it has continued to top the list of the most corrupt institutions.

Kenya’s police force has consistently been voted the most corrupt institution in east Africa’s since an anti-graft watchdog began publishing bribery surveys. This year, it was ranked the most corrupt body in the region as well.